Man met een geweer en een mannenhoofd c. 1846 - 1882

Here is Cornelis Springer's sketch, "Man met een geweer en een mannenhoofd," held at the Rijksmuseum. Springer was active during a period of national romanticism in the Netherlands, a time when there was increased introspection of Dutch history. In this sketch, the artist captures two men in period attire. The primary figure is adorned in what appears to be historical military garb, complete with a rifle. Adjacent, a second head floats above, perhaps a study of a face, or a glimpse into the comradeship of military life. What is it to bear arms, to be tasked with the defense of a nation, and how does this sit within notions of Dutch national identity? This sketch is a reminder of how deeply our identities are entwined with history. It is an intimate look into the artist’s process. It asks us to reflect on how we see ourselves reflected in the stories of the past.